New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use, By Rebecca Gold

FEATURED COLUMNIST New Tech for SqCWD Customers to Track Water Use

The “WaterSmart” Customer Portal is now available!

As water metering technology continues to advance, the District is staying on the cutting edge by implementing the latest tools for our customers, giving you more control over your water use, billing, leak detection, and other tools.

What’s the latest technology? It’s the WaterSmart Customer Portal, and it makes water use data from our ongoing intelligent meter (i-Meter) upgrade available to customers. This online portal is a great new way for you to keep a closer eye on your water use, even down to an hourly basis. It’s available now at soquelcreekwd. watersmart.com and you can register using your account number.

With this user-friendly, self-service web portal you can get email, text, or phone alerts about potential water leaks in your system — you’ll be better able to find and fix that leak before it becomes a bigger problem. You’ll also have the capability to set customized water use and bill amount thresholds.

With those in place, you’ll receive alerts when your water use or your bill amount reaches your desired thresholds, giving you the data you need to maintain the most efficient water use possible. That means less wasted water, less potential water damage, and fewer surprises in your water bills. You will also be able to see your current bill and bill history and pay online or set up pay by text.

The portal will also help you see how much water your irrigation system uses, identify water-saving opportunities, access conservation resources such as rebate program applications and waterwise landscaping ideas. Its easy-to-use online bill payment function allows you to both monitor your usage and pay your bill with a single log-in.

We’ve nearly completed the upgrade of 16,000 meters to i-Meters within the District. This will allow your water meter to send your water use information to the District twice a day, via a fixed network infrastructure (some of the same technology used in cell phones, WiFi, walkie talkies, and baby monitors).

The District’s previous generation of automated metering technology sent the water use information to a receiver in a District truck, which had to drive through your neighborhood once a month.

Now, the latest electronic tools give us that information more easily, and much

By Rebecca Gold Rubin

more frequently. The end result? Saving you water and money!

Our i-Meter upgrade is funded by new development as part of our Water Demand Offset (WDO) program, saving our ratepayers money. This program requires that new developments offset their projected water demand by funding new conservation or supply projects elsewhere in the District to make sure there is no increase in overall demand on the overdrafted groundwater basin. In addition to i-Meters, WDO fees have funded other water-saving programs, like rebates on the installation of thousands of ultra-high efficiency toilets.

“WaterSmart” page 26

Famous Landmarks

ACROSS 22. “____ Be Home For 55. Independent, slang 8. *La Sagrada Familia 1. Octagonal sign Christmas” 56. Initial stake or St. Peter’s 5. “Don’t have a ____!” 23. Olympic torch, e.g. 57. Field of Dreams state 9. Having wings 8. Can of worms 25. On the move 58. More than one stylus 10. ____ of Man 12. Pathetic 28. Menu words 59. Barnes and Noble or 11. Scottish cap 13. Spanish sparkling 29. *Golden Gate or Mackinac Barnum and Bailey 13. Ceiling panel in the wine 32. Goodbye, to bambino 60. Jaunty rhythm in Pantheon 14. Pico de gallo 34. Ruling in Islamic law music 14. Type of wheat 15. WWII side 36. Variable, abbr. 61. Don Quixote’s enemy 19. Cuban dance 16. Like word of mouth 37. Can, with thou 62. Urge Spot to attack 22. Glacier matter 17. Church song 38. South American 63. Besides 23. Medieval knight’s 18. *Victoria in Zimbabwe monkey spiky weapon or Horseshoe in 39. *Versailles or DOWN 24. Coffee shop order

Canada Buckingham 1. BBQ side 25. *Home to Taj Mahal 20. *Home to Rock of 41. Thus far 2. Taxon, pl. 26. Phonograph record

Cashel and Blarney 42. Yoko’s John 3. Fail to mention 27. Artist’s support

Castle 44. Collectively 4. Bygone Spanish money 28. Back, at sea 21. Massachusetts 46. Party bowlful 5. Jeweler’s unit 30. Director Reitman university 47. Memory failure 6. Egg-like curves 31. Indian restaurant staple 49. Goals 7. *The Western one in 33. Giant Hall-of-Famer 51. *St. Basil’s or Israel or the Great one 35. *Moulin Rouge or Canterbury in China Netherland’s landmark 37. Incense without prefix 39. Weasel-related onomatopoeia 40. Enigma machine’s output 43. One born to Japanese immigrants 45. Roman magistrate 47. Hawaiian veranda 48. V.C. Andrews’

“Flowers in the ____” 49. Naysayer’s favorite prefix 50. Bucolic poem 51. Type in all ____ 52. Agitate 53. Hole punchers 54. Like the White Rabbit 55. Any doctrine

December, month of hopes, anticipations and expectations (and suspense for the little ones), is filled with festivals that bring light to the ever-increasing darkness.

There is a feeling that something new is about to occur. Everywhere we see preparations being made. Advent is a preparatory celebration in the Christian churches. Advent is a Latin word “adventus”, meaning “something’s coming” —winter, solstice, new light, birth, holidays, parties, festivities and revelations.

Advent lasts four weeks. Evergreen Advent wreaths with four colored candles (3 violet, 1 rose) are made. Each Sunday night a new candle is lit. The candles represent a light glowing in the solemn darkness. We light our candles in the dark half of the year awaiting the light half of the year.

Like each year divided into four seasons, the Liturgy of the Christian church divides the year into “liturgical seasons.” “Liturgical” is Greek for “the work of the people” — a communal participation in the “sacred” through worship, praise, tithing, prayer, acts of kindness and mercy.

Each season has a different mood, theological emphasis, I see another.” where. Blue mountains ahead. ••• mode of prayer, decorations, colors, readings, themes and scriptures.

In the Ageless Wisdom teachings, the year is divided into six seasons for the Three Laws & Three Principles of the Aquarian Age. The season we have just begun (Nov. 21 – Dec. 20) focuses on the Principle of Essential Divinity (divine fire at the heart of all matter).

As we light our candles in the dark during December, we are reminded that the Essential Divinity within us is a fire, Agni. We are to be the light in the darkness. Upcoming Festivals of Light: Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas’ feast day. Nicholas was generous and kind, protector to those in need. He loved children. St. Nicholas is the Advent saint. He is Santa Claus. Dec. 11-18 – Hanukkah: Jewish Festival of Lights. Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary is the Mother of the Americas. Dec. 13 – St. Lucia (light). Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice, the new light begins. Dec.25 – the Light of the world is born. Always the festivals are from dark to Light. The Light appearing in the

ARIES LEO SAGITTARIUS

You’re out and about, in and of the world. You can’t Your heart seeks more adventure, fun, play and being All parts of you are active, energetic, hopeful (we hope). You help it. The world, people, events, food, tended to in a very creative way. You also become a bit more impulsive, quick travel, adventures, mountain peaks, need to accept invitations to parties to anger, impatient, wanting your own way plains, cultures, culture, civilization and festivities, be with friends, attend (for a time). We see you as being more — all summoning you to participate. plays, art shows, dances, and visit other assertive, daring like a warrior. You become Perhaps you will consider writing a book, perhaps people’s homes. You need both a Christmas tree and very attractive. However, be careful with everything — compublishing becomes interesting, Think deeply a Hanukkah bush with lights and candles everywhere. municating, driving, walking running, using tools, implements. on your goals. Create more. Ponder upon this You need to be loved, cared for, recognized and then Things red, hot and sharp (all of which, to some, you are) might statement, “I see the goal, I reach that goal and then loved some more. Who can do this? attack. You’re laughing. That’s good. Caution with language.

VIRGO CAPRICORN

TAURUS You are the light of the world to your family. You are You may feel fatigued, weary and often in need of rest. I ask that you also read and ponder upon the statement the one who must connect them, one to Soon you will need to be out and about in at the end of Aries. Then observe the the other, create festivities that make the public more, so take this time to draw many and varied goals, dreams, hopes & them feel at home. You must begin to back, do less work. Pluto, the lord of deep wishes filtering through your mind each plan a large gathering so that those who and permanent transformation has been day. There’s not enough time each day to have no family are welcomed (where you are). You working on your self identity for years now. You are accomplish everything, Time seems to have changed, must merge separate realities, unify oppositions, and changing day by day. Continue to plan and create goals. accelerated. You have many plans to fulfill. Visualize synthesize all the parts and pieces. You love these However, take time acting upon them. Make health, rest, yourself in the midst of abundant resources and money. tasks. and well-being your central focus. Allow these to be your See yourself as the Law of Attraction, accomplishing all directives for at least a month. Are you writing a book? dreams. LIBRA Being out and about in the neighborhood, AQUARIUS GEMINI dropping in on neighbors, driving As you go out and about be careful not to be too reckless. What are you planning for the holidays? Will you around town seeking the most dra- You have energy and enthusiasm, you have prepare with family and friends? With matic holiday decorations, having hopes and wishes, you have opportunities someone in particular? Tend carefully dinner with friends, gathering and invitations. Amidst the many posto the one closest to you. A silver light holiday decorations, seeing relatives, talking on sibilities, attend only one or two at a time. is shining on your relationship. Com- the phone, sending holiday cards – all these you Say thank you, exit gracefully, then focus on several more. municative intimacy is being called for. Past, present love to do You look forward to the beauty of this Pay all bills promptly, don’t worry about money. You always and future seem to be bundled together. You and season all year long. Who is your family these have the needed resources and resourceful people. You another need to travel ... down a river or lake some- days? always will. Write down your needs by hand in a journal.

SCORPIO PISCES

CANCER For the next several weeks you sense a light shining You become more public, more of your leadership Your health at this time is what matters most. on you. You’ll feel lucky, able, capable, qualities are summoned. A forum or Focusing on health is good because resourceful, wealthy, emotionally sup- group invites you to teach, to offer your you have the capacity to purify, har- ported. Don’t run out, however, and gifts of communication, counseling, monize and heal more quickly now. buy everything you fancy and shining intelligence and knowledge. You prepare. Foods are also on your mind. Are you brightly. Unless it’s for a loved one. Then be lavish. However, you are aware that at any time, things may considering preparing food to give as gifts? Are However, most appreciated would be your heart, dissolve away. So, you are hopeful, patient, accepting, endless tasks and responsibilities appearing moment given to another. Even if it’s to a friend. We think of acquiescing, yet you are also wary, cautious, circumby moment? Till you have no time? Say no to some. you as internal, hidden, watchful. Give a little more of spect, careful and coiled like a kundalini snake, its body You need rest. yourself for a while. filled with seven rays of Light. wilderness. Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

Water conservation is a crucial component of ensuring we have a sustainable groundwater basin. At the same time, to provide our customers with a reliable water supply today and into the future, we are pursuing new sources of water that can be used to replenish the overdrafted groundwater basin and stop seawater contamination of our water supply.

Pure Water Soquel is the key project aimed at providing the quantities of water needed to raise the groundwater to protective levels. Learn more at soquelcreekwater.org/purewatersoquel.

Tracking your water use and your billing trends will be much easier with i-Meters and the WaterSmart Customer Portal. We’re thrilled to be providing you with the latest technology, giving you the tools you need to save water, support sustainability of the groundwater basin, have better control over your water use billing, and save money.

WaterSmart Software has more than 4 million meters under management across over 120 water utility partners and is recognized as the self-service and customer engagement platform leader for the water industry.

Water providers using WaterSmart’s portal have been proven to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction by more than 25%. WaterSmart is a winner of the globally coveted World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers Award for their potential to “significantly impact business and society through the design, development and implementation of new technologies and innovation.” n •••

Register today for the WaterSmart Customer Portal at soquelcreekwd.watersmart.com. Your registration code is your billing account number. Please take this opportunity to make sure we have your current email address on file, as that’s an important tool in the i-Meter functionality. Call us at 831-475-8500, or email us at custserv@soquelcreekwater.org to update your information.

Tracking your water use and your billing trends will be much easier with i-Meters and the WaterSmart Customer Portal.